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Top Canon Powershot S80 Camera Reviews
DP Review wrote a review of the
Canon Powershot S80 and said: "After the rather uninspiring
noise performance of the Panasonic LX1 and overblown image
processing of the Olympus Stylus 800 I approached the update to
the excellent PowerShot S70 with some trepidation. So it was a
great relief to discover that the S80 (which we presume to use
the new Sony 8MP chip) not only offers noticeable improvements
in performance and control, but also manages to increase
resolution without a significant increase in noise."
Canon Powershot S80 News Release Summary:
Canon PowerShot S80 Model is First Digital Camera to Feature XGA
Size Movie Mode; Other New Features Include 2.5-inch LCD, DIGIC
II Image Processor and Redesigned Interface
MISSISSAUGA, ON., August 22, 2005 – Canon’s elegant new flagship
PowerShot S80 digital camera features 8.0 megapixels of
resolution and a 28mm wide lens in a sleek package that offers
photo enthusiasts and entry-level users a large 2.5-inch LCD
screen for easy viewing, a high-quality XGA movie mode,
high-speed USB 2.0 support for quick transfer and a new
easy-to-use interface.
Picking up many popular features of its predecessor, the
PowerShot S70 model, the PowerShot S80 digital camera retains
Canon’s powerful, high quality, wide angle UA (Ultra High
Refractive Index Glass Aspherical) lens with a 3.6x wide-angle
optical zoom (35mm film equivalent: 28-100mm). The camera allows
users to capture a wider image area than most other compact
digital cameras on the market, and with Canon’s DIGIC II image
processor plus 8.0 megapixels of resolution, the camera keeps
image quality at its utmost.
"Canon’s new PowerShot S80 model is a high-grade camera that
offers superior image quality and a feature set on par with our
more advanced models," said Ian Macfarlane, Vice President and
General Manager of the Consumer Imaging Group, Canon Canada
Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A. Inc. "Along with
improving on our earlier models, we are offering features not
seen in other digital cameras before including a stunning new
XGA movie mode that rivals the video output of some high-end
digital camcorders."
Ramped Up Imaging Features
The camera’s improved autofocus reduces the time required for
focusing by up to approximately 20 percent compared to its
predecessor. In addition, the refined exposure control under
low-light conditions results not only in better exposure
accuracy but also in better focusing performance. Canon improved
the exposure control by a full stop, which allows for easier
focusing and produces better photos in dark conditions.
A Small Camera that Shoots Big Movies
Thanks to Canon’s DIGIC II image processor, the S80 model
supports movie recording in XGA size (1024 x 768 pixels) at 15
frames per second for the first time in any digital camera.
Compared to the previous maximum – VGA (640 x 480 pixels) – XGA
recording has about 2.5 times more pixels, and the data amount
is about twice as high. Continuous recording of XGA up to a file
size of 1GB is available on the S80 model.
Following the Canon PowerShot S2 IS digital camera, the
PowerShot S80 model provides a choice between single frame and
sequence frame for Movie Prints. When Single is selected, any
frame from a movie can be selected and printed on a single
sheet. Print quality depends on the mode used during movie
recording, with XGA producing the best quality. In Sequence
mode, the camera can, when connected to a compatible Canon
Compact Photo Printer, print a series of miniature thumbnail
images that provides an overview of the movie’s content.
A Sleek New Look with Improved Controls
Although it has a large feature set, the PowerShot S80 digital
camera is amazingly compact. Simple yet impressive, the shape of
the new camera fits snugly into the palm of the hand. Canon
built the elegant design with a combination of aluminum
magnesium alloy and high-gloss aluminum to create a sturdy and
shiny body, which includes a soft-touch finger rest to improve
holding stability. Silver banding on the camera highlights the
predominantly black front piece. The S80 model also includes a
creative rear panel design that offers convenient operation on
the camera is possible through a new multi-control dial and omni
selector.
Rich Array of Shooting Modes
The Canon PowerShot S80 offers users 21 different shooting
modes, allowing the camera to effectively handle a variety of
situations. As with the S70 model, there are five modes in the
Creative Zone, plus 12 new Special Scene modes as well as the My
Colors mode, Stitch Assist Mode and Movie Mode. The 12 new
Special Scene modes include Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene,
Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Underwater, Indoor, Kids &
Pets, Night Snapshot and Digital Macro.
Real-Time Histogram
Also new to the S80 model is a real time histogram which is
displayed on the new 2.5-inch LCD screen while shooting. It can
be turned on and off in the shooting menu. When the LCD screen
is turned on and set to display information, the histogram is
shown in the bottom left corner of the LCD screen. In previous
models, exposure compensation values were displayed by a scale
shown at the bottom of the screen, which made it difficult to
check the compensated exposure. When the PowerShot S80 digital
camera is set for live histogram display, exposure compensation
settings are displayed numerically, taking up much less space
and making adjustments easier to evaluate as a result.
DIGIC II Image Processing Technology - Hi-Speed USB 2.0
True to the PowerShot tradition, the PowerShot S80 model has
many of the latest advances in Canon technology including the
proprietary DIGIC II imaging processor. The processor enhances
picture definition, vibrancy and quality, while helping increase
the speed of the camera’s startup, autofocus, shutter response,
playback and image processing speed while reducing power
consumption by 35 percent compared to the original DIGIC chip.
Image transfer speed is accelerated (when used with a USB 2.0
compatible computer, printer or other peripheral), thanks to the
inclusion of a Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port. The USB 2.0 port is
backwards compatible (at no increased speed) with computers
featuring standard USB 1.1 connections.
Print Photos in Seconds
Like all PowerShot digital cameras, the PowerShot S80 camera
works seamlessly with Canon’s petite SELPHY Compact Photo
Printers – an essential PowerShot accessory. Customers simply
connect their PowerShot digital camera to a SELPHY printer –
such as the new SELPHY CP510, CP710 and CP600 models – press the
lighted Print/Share button, and within 58 seconds, images
emerge. Presto! It’s that simple. Canon’s SELPHY Compact Photo
Printers are PictBridge compatible. They work with most digital
cameras and offer excellent image quality and ease-of-use,
especially when paired with a Canon digital camera. At 39
cents-per-print, printing photos directly from a digital camera
is both easy and affordable.
Pricing and Availability
The PowerShot S80 Kit will include a full set of Canon’s
powerful yet easy-to-use digital camera software, including the
latest versions of ZoomBrowser EX, ImageBrowser, PhotoStitch and
PhotoRecord, as well as ArcSoft PhotoStudio. The standard kit
will also include an Interface Cable IFC-400PCU and AV cable
AVC-DC300, a lithium-ion Battery Pack NB-2LH and Battery Charger
CB-2LW, a 32MB SD memory card, instruction manuals and a Wrist
Strap WS-300. Optional accessories include a Waterproof Housing
WP-DC1, a wireless auxiliary flash unit High Power Flash HF-DC1,
Soft Leather Case PSC30 and the choice of wide-angle or
telephoto supplementary lenses.
Canon’s new PowerShot S80 digital Camera will be available in
October for a manufacturer's suggested list price of $875.
About Canon Canada, Inc.
Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, the company employs 1,600
people at its offices nation-wide, servicing the Canadian market
from coast to coast. Innovation and cutting-edge technology have
been essential ingredients in Canon's success. Canon's
leadership in imaging, optical and document management
technology and solutions is based in large part on the thousands
of patents the company has secured throughout its history. Canon
Inc. is among the top three US patent recipients over the past
13 years.
The company’s comprehensive product line includes networked
multifunction devices; digital copiers (colour and black and
white); printers, scanners, image filing systems and facsimile
machines; calculators, digital camcorders, digital and analogue
cameras and lenses; semiconductor, broadcast and other
specialized industrial products.
Canon supports programs that help preserve and protect the
environment. The company instituted the Clean Earth Campaign in
1990, which assists various environmental and recycling
initiatives. The Campaign has also supported leading
environmental organizations, such as The Nature Conservancy of
Canada, the World Wildlife Fund of Canada and the Canon
Envirothon.
Canon
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